Planar magnetic technology has come a long way. The operating principle comes from Magnepan and their speakers, who coined and registered the name ‘Magneplanar.’ Yamaha, in 1976, similarly branded their planar magnetic headphones as ‘Orthodynamic’ headphones. They have since gathered a wide following, and for a good reason, as it turns out. You can also check out a list of other types headphone drivers.
Are Planar Magnetic Headphones Worth it?
Yes. Thanks to a light and powerful diaphragm, they have a clean, even, and precise sound. Bass response is tight, linear, and beautifully textured. Soundstage and imaging, likewise, seem to be very good with planar magnetic headphones.
How Planar Magnetic Drivers Work
With planar magnetic headphones, the driver consists of three main elements that help to reproduce sound: two permanent magnets and a diaphragm. The diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver has thin wires embedded in it. These are the ones that move the diaphragm; hence sound is reproduced.
Below is a simplified picture of a planar magnetic driver.
This is a simplified illustration of a Planar Magnetic Driver
The diaphragm makes planar magnetic headphones unique because it affects the overall sound of the headphone. The diaphragm has to be light and move fast (about 20000 times/second) for accurate sound reproduction. The quicker the diaphragm can move, the more precise, detailed, and transparent the sound will be. Audeze, one of the top planar headphones makers, claims their diaphragms are thinner than even red blood cells at 0.5 and 1.8 microns.
The diaphragm is sandwiched between two permanent magnets, as seen above. These two magnets create a static magnetic field. When you plug your planar magnetic headphones into a playback device, the electrical current passes through the thin conductors in the diaphragm—the static magnetic field and electrical current interact, which pushes the diaphragm back and forth. Your brain interprets these movements by the diaphragm as sound.
Pros of Planar Magnetic Headphones
Planar magnetic headphones have grown in popularity over the last few years. New headphone makers like Audeze and HiFiMAN have risen because of their planar headphones offerings. Here are some of their advantages.
1. Low Distortion
Dynamic drivers are driven from the point at which the voice coil is attached, usually near the center. However, planar magnetic drivers move over the entire surface. At higher volumes, they don’t suffer from a modal breakdown associated with dynamic drivers; thus, you get low distortion.
Lower distortion, especially on the bass frequencies, means the low-end sounds are natural and more pronounced. The bass is also more extended so that planar magnetic headphones will have less roll-off.
2. Planar Sound Wavefront
Because of the design, dynamic drivers produce a spherical wavefront sound wave. On the other end, a planar magnetic driver produces a planar wavefront. This is one of the best characteristics of orthodynamic headphones.
When a spherical wavefront hits the ear, it reflects differently from a planar wavefront. Because headphones are placed closer to our ears, a spherical wavefront causes unnatural effects. This affects the normal localization of sound and also the audio image. Imaging is much better with planar magnetic headphones because of this reason. Electrostatic headphones also have excellent audio imaging because of their planar wavefront sound.
3. Large and Powerful Diaphragm
Planar magnetic headphones are renowned for their quality bass. This is because the diaphragm has a large surface area, plus the powerful drive of electromagnetic force helps a large amount of air to be moved with authority.
Unlike planar magnetic drivers, electrostatic drivers have a large diaphragm, but the static force is relatively weak compared to electromagnetic drivers in planar magnetic drivers. Dynamic drivers, on the other end, have a small driver surface area and would need to make large movements to move the volume of air needed for good bass response.
4. Responsiveness
A very light diaphragm coupled with a strong electromagnetic force means the ability of the audio signal to control and move the diaphragm is very good. Compared to electrostatic headphones, they tend to sound very coherent and spacious.
Cons of Planar Magnetic Headphones
1. Weight
As cool as planar magnetic technology sounds, one disadvantage is the headphones’ weight. The magnets used are big, while the housing is built bigger to accommodate and secure everything in place. The result is the weight and size being big and bulky, which affects the overall comfort of a planar magnetic headphone. To mitigate this, comfy and thick earpads are used to improve comfort.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Are planar magnetic headphones worth it?” is a resounding yes. These headphones have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of audio technology. Their origins are traceable back to the groundbreaking work of Magnepan in the realm of planar speakers and Yamaha’s introduction of planar magnetic headphones. As a result, they have gained a devoted following of enthusiasts.
The evolution of planar magnetic technology has brought about a revolution in the headphone industry. These headphones’ exceptional sound quality, precise imaging, and powerful bass reproduction have cemented their rightful place among audio enthusiasts. They offer an immersive and detailed listening experience that captivates discerning music lovers and audiophiles.
Their transformative impact on the audio industry and outstanding performance make them a compelling option for those seeking an elevated listening experience.
